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OUR APPROACH

AOD takes a multi-level approach to address inequality and social exclusion, a wicked issue, acknowledging that an ecosystem of solutions is required for systemic change.

PILLAR #1

Empower youth to build a critical mass of inclusivity changemakers

As youth make up 50% of the Malaysian population, youth are the most important demographic to empower as champions of inclusion.

We run a variety of small cohort residential programmes, such as our flagship Sekolah Diversiti and Kampus Advokasi, to upskill and empower youth ages 16-30 to act on diversity and inclusion issues.

Our work focuses on identifying and developing youth outreach, create networks that motivate mobilisation and provide resources to start their own initiatives. Thus far, we have over 800 alumni across Malaysia and growing.

As we recruit existing and future leaders that hold influence in their respective communities and organisations, we fund and support projects and networks that advance diversity and inclusion goals. 

Our alumni subgrants and thematic communities support leader-led change in knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in targeted networks. Thus far, we have indirectly influenced over 3,000 community members since 2023.

To create a needed ecosystem of actors working towards equity and inclusion, we support current and aspiring leaders of young youth organisations to incubate and accelerate their growth. Our incubator and upcoming projects provide organisational and finances resources.

We invest in the development of capable leaders, getting new organisations registered and building a support network for sustainability.

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HIGHLIGHT

Mapping the future of diversity

"Last year, Zetty Rania Mohamad Yusof made headlines when she and her student activist friends submitted a memorandum to the government demanding that liquid nicotine be put back into the Poisons Act 1952.

 

The idea for the initiative was born and made possible at a retreat organised by Architects of Diversity (AOD), a civil society organisation that runs programmes aimed at creating young leaders who will champion inclusiveness and equality."

PILLAR #2

Promoting an enabling environment for legislative change towards equity and inclusion

We view our policy work as critical enablers of change in norms and unlocks to further action - top-down change facilitates bottom-up movements.

As a first step to greater efforts for equity and inclusion, we work towards fair rental legislation that sits at the intersection of youth and racial justice. We conduct research, strategic communication and stakeholder engagements to educate, collectivise mobilise key actors to enable improved legislative discourse.

As Malaysia is one of the few nations that does not make obligations on combating racial and religious discrimination, we work on policy research and coalition building, including convening and support federal policymakers to advocate for laws and policies that enact discrimination protections.

Occasionally, we conduct convenings, strategic engagements and campaigns for present-day issues relevant to social cohesion and youth, such as the role of technology and social media in social ties, national programmes and fair university admission affirmative action.

Diversity: Charting a path towards anti-discrimination

"Conversations around diversity have been gaining more traction due to ESG considerations, with the spotlight oftentimes on gender diversity. However, the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is now taking centre stage, as companies are urged to look beyond gender diversity.

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One way of approaching DEI is to look at groups that are often discriminated against. Local non-profit, Architects of Diversity (AOD), founded in 2018 by Jason Wee and Sanggeet Mithra and a group of volunteers, released The State of Discrimination Survey 2023 earlier this year to assess the landscape in Malaysia."

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HIGHLIGHT

PILLAR #3

Strengthen the organisation to enable us to act as an ecosystem builder

Architects of Diversity sees our own development and sustainability as critical to become an efficient ecosystem orchestrator.

We undertake exploratory and collaborative relationships with civil society, government, corporates, capital and philanthropic institutions with an understanding that a thriving ecosystem requires cooperation and financing.

We organise public and closed-door events, such as the Inclusivity Summit, and conduct ad-hoc research to facilitate the growth of knowledge, relationships and action.

We grow our administrative capacity in order to act as a logistical and financial intermediary and coordinate for grassroot organisations and other initiatives that require support, with an understanding that capital is quintessential in enabling movements to thrive.

 

We are able to facilitate subgranting processes and project monitoring, partnering with regional and international organisations, that enables an end-to-end pipeline of change.

Persatuan Pendidikan Diversiti
E-3A-02, Menara Suezcap 2
KL Gateway Mall
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
contact[at]aodmalaysia.org
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